Dealing with Bee Hives in the Chimney

Dealing with Bee Hives in the Chimney

With summer just around the corner, many are starting to notice the return of the dreaded bee hives once again. Wasps, hornets, and honey bees love to find tiny nooks and crannies to start building their home in and the chimney is no exception. If you start noticing bees flying out of chimney, especially into your living room, you know that you have a problem that needs attention. Elimination of the hive is best done in spring while the colony (and hive) is still small. As they grow, their structures can be harder to remove and cause more damage to the chimney’s structure.

Here is a step-by-step guide to safely eliminating bee hives from the chimney.

Step 1: The first step is to stop the bees from entering the home. Closing the damper will help with some of the problem. You may also want to place a chimney balloon in the fireplace to further protect the living space. They can be purchased online or at a local hardware store.

Step 2: Next you need to kill the bee colony. This is best done in the late afternoon or evening when the bees are resting. Always wear protective clothing when working with active hives. Once located, spray a good insecticide that is also safe for chimneys onto the beehive. You may need to use several applications to fully eradicate the bees. If you can’t find a spray that can be used in fireplaces, hire a qualified exterminator.

Step 3: Remove the beehive. If it is not accessible, hire a professional chimney sweep to assist. The entire hive must be removed to prevent bees from returning and building it up again. It is also important to have the flue inspected for any structural damage the bees may have caused.

Step 4: The last step is to protect your chimney from future infestations. Have the chimney sweep place protective screening at the chimney top to prevent bees from entering. Saving you time and money in the future, this is the best way to stop the problem from reoccurring.

At Lindemann Chimney Service, we have built our business on helping the North Shore community with every chimney ailment imaginably. Our experienced staff provides thorough chimney cleanings and inspections using the best tools and supplies available. Keeping your chimney healthy and safe to use is our number one goal.